The Heart of Liz Vice

Home , Beth Harrington, Cage the Elephant, Feels Like, Hard to Say, Heaven Adores You, Isaac Brock (musician)

www.oregonmusicnews.com oregon Johnny Marr music On Playland news and Portland the magazine Marv Ellis and WE Tribe Feed the hungry Jarrod with album sales Lawson Liz Vice Soul Singer from Mollala A voice signaling breaking world-wide a change Also Taylor John Williams, Weresquatch, Horse Feathers, Kate Power and Cambrian Explosion, LiquidLight Steve Einhorn and Dr. Mike Hsu Oregonians once again

Volume 1 Issue 2 | January 2015 Contents

The front row 4 Identifying Rising Stars is no hip chase

the scene headliner Rising Stars 14 Marv Ellis and WE Tribe feed of Oregon’s the hungry with album sales Music Scene 15 Johnny Marr: 6 On Playland and Portland

17 The heart of Liz Vice

Oregonians once again: 18 Former owners of Artichoke music move back after four years of blissful exile 15

reviews Album Reviews: Moon By You, John Coltrane, 20 Portland Cello Project, Birch Hill Dam

Get out! 22 Staff picks for shows to catch around Oregon 20

Cover photo by Anthony Pidgeon / www.AnthonyPidgeon.com ADVERTISE IN OREGON’S ONLY ALL-GENRE PUBLICATION AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS ALONG WITH THE STATE’S VIBRANT MUSIC COMMUNITIES 503-687-1252 | [email protected] 503-687-1247 | [email protected] front row From the management

Publisher Identifying rising Ana Ammann Editor-in-Chief stars is no hip chase Tom D’Antoni Managing Photography By Tom D’Antoni Editor Editior-In-Chief Kevin Tomanka Copy Editor “People should discard any notions of hipness The mission of Sunny Clark or coolness and simply relax and be themselves, Oregon Music News whatever that may be.” (OMN) is to grow Writers – a Tweet from Morrissey and sustain Oregon’s music community by James Bash Ruben Mosqueda Some people think we’re way off-base providing an all-genre music platform for Matthew Bernstein because OMN is not full of snark, because comprehensive online and Holly Johnson we don’t chase fashionable parties and print music journalism. Cervante Pope glamorous people, or for not venerating Inessa hipsters and everything connected with OMN develops writers, Alaya Wyndham them. photographers and digital Christa McIntyre Even though your eyes may tell you media producers of all Aaron Martin experience levels – driven differently as you walk down NE Alberta Estevan MuÑoz by a passion for music Street in Portland, we are now living in Post- H. Lime Hipster Oregon. Not everyone who passionately listens to music is either and a commitment to journalistic integrity. Stephen Murray young or a Portlandian. And, Oregonians of all stripies listen to all kinds of Stephen Blackman music. Since its inception in 2009, Thea Prieto Shocking facts, aren’t they? Especially to Millennials who seem to think OMN has strived to: Stephanie Salvey they invented the universe and that everything that came before them is Teri Briggs camp, although they may have never even heard of Susan Sontag (who • Provide training and Dennise Kowalczyk invented it). mentorship for new Of course, Hipsters of every era have always been the same. Self- writers and Photographers righteously, self-indulgent — right up until the moment a person 10 years photojournalists John Rudoff younger than they walks by and immediately annoys them with a new kind of Jon T. Cruz cool they hadn’t thought of. • Provide a vehicle for Jason E Kaplan Now and then folks have told us (even some within the OMN “family”) that established writers/ Anthony Pidgeon photographers to have we should try to make OMN look more hip. My answer has always been, “Then, Karen Fox their work published/ what happens a year from now when some other person like you comes along, syndicated Henry Ammann looks at us, and says the exact same thing?” William Riddle Post-Hipster is a continuum. Trying to be hip is like aiming for a set of • Introduce and promote goalposts in continuous motion that can never be reached. local artists through Design/Layout Hipness, what it is! coverage in OMN Ossie Bladine And sometimes hipness is what it ain’t! -Tower of Power • Inform community about Production It has never been our editorial aim to attract one type of audience over another. music events Dan Spence That’s why you see every kind of music imaginable here, also some that you may have never imagined – Tuvan Throat singing, for example. • Impact local youth Advertising We’ll keep it fresh and always look for what’s new. We’ll be clever in our music programs through Tammy Cook words, photos, podcasts, and videos, but we’ll never chase Hip – you can awareness and giving Adriana Ness count on that. So relax, be yourself no matter where you live or how old you are, or aren’t. Reach us at [email protected] or And remember what Ben Sidran says: PO Box 5494, Portland, Oregon 97228 “But when young becomes old To advertise, email [email protected] And cool turns to cold Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregonmusicnews Twitter: @oregonmusicnews primary logos That’s when we’ll see lenames for les provided If that truth set him free.” for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 4 | JanuaryO 2015MN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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by Tom D’Antoni

Jarrod Lawson hasn’t exactly been lying in the weeds, waiting for the perfect moment to leap out and become a star — it just seems that way. For years, he was “that guy.” You know, the unassuming-looking dude behind the keyboards, the one with that voice, the one you don’t know anything about. For a long time, it never seemed like he fronted a band, always the consummate side player who blew everyone away. He plays in SoulMates with Jay Bird Koder and Reinhardt Melz, but he’s not the front man. He has played with Liv Warfield — with lots of people in lots of situations. When you saw him and heard him, you always thought, “How can that voice be coming out of this guy?” The voice of Soul Music. The Soul of Soul Music. When he released his album, Jarrod Lawson, all that changed — not so much at home, but in the UK and Europe. He was a hit. A big hit. He’s getting ready to tour Japan and Indonesia (might be more stops by the time you read this) and to follow it up with a tour of Europe. The album is soulful and funky, of course, but what we didn’t expect was the level of spiritual- ity and social consciousness in it. Lawson will be taking his band from Portland with him. They are Christopher Friesen (Bass), Joshua Corry (Drums), Chance Hayden (Guitar), Tahirah Memory (BG Vox), Molly Foote (BG Vox) and Farnell Newton (Flugel Horn). Lawson grew up in Molalla and, sometimes, he looks it. Down to earth, is what I mean. Let’s find out how he’s handling fame:

Jarrod, you’re an overnight sensation. Like you just started working yesterday [laughter]. We know that’s not true, but, all of a sudden, you’re breaking all over the world. What does that feel like? It feels like it’s happened overnight, to be honest. I dropped this album back in May and, all of a sudden, DJs and this whole Soul Jazz fraternity in the UK found my album, miraculously. I mean, I didn’t promote it.

You didn’t have the star-making machinery behind you? No, no, not at all. I just threw it out there and primary logos they found it — and everything has changed. I lenames for les provided

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by Sunny Clark

He seemed to come from nowhere to capture national attention among the Top 5 contentants on NBC’s The Voice — an unlikely path for Eugene native, Taylor John Williams. Not so long ago, Williams had taken a distinctly Oregon trail from Eugene to Portland, developing his talent as a singer-songwriter with a voice all his own. Now, Williams is carefully considering a future so bright no one could throw shade, feeling, ”Totally cool... I’m in a good place,” he reported in the wake of leaving the broadcast last month, seeming relaxed and relieved. Back in the Pacific Northwest to decompress from the intense glare of bright lights in the big city, the 23-year-old related that, as soon as he was eliminated from the competition-based, hit series, “Personal stuff shifted... there’s a lot of release in being done with the whole process.” Despite the intense circumstances, Williams said, “The primary logos show — lenames they were for les all provided incredibly sweet to me.” Still, the young artist added that, while for use on general items – Courtesy NBC main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 8 | JanuaryO 2015MN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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taking part in the process, “I missed music for music’s sake.” Of the reality television universe in which he found himself, Williams told Oregon Music News: I immersed myself in the learning process that is The Voice. Growing is a hard thing in front of an audience, but I enjoyed discovering things about my own artistry. I got to explore that. There’s a lot of room to grow. It made me test myself... I wanted this to be a learning experience. The fresh and now-famous contestent gave credit to the coach he’d chosen for providing the kind of leadership he’d needed; saying of the platinum-haired recording artist and No Doubt co-founder, “Gwen Stefani let me do my thing and was always there to gently guide me. That was huge!” The Grammy-winner also paved important artistic inroads with Williams, who reflected, “Collaboration is often very difficult to accept, but it’s much easier to trust somebody like Gwen Stefani — and, if you want to write really good songs, you have to be able to work with other musicians. It’s a very good thing.” Now in the after-glow of well-deserved, yet sudden, fame, Williams is clear about his goals while sorting out the means and management side of further Courtesy NBC developing his life as a professional musician. Choosing and settling representa- tion in the business of show is a difficult phase of career growth for any emerging and share the intimate experience of a newly discovered musical genius in bloom artist. Says Williams, “I’m now anxious to start doing the real work and keep the before production heads hide him away in rehearsal and recording studios for weeks momentum going,” wisely noting that, “It goes fast.” or months at a time then tour him out of this world — or, at least, way outside of Expect great music to come from this developing talent already a recognizable our little world of homegrown Oregon talent. (Lucky Portlandians may even enjoy celebrity both enjoying and humbled by the gush of fans, if his social media pages the gift of a free performance at the Sniff Dog Hotel, where they hold cafe “Meet & primary logos lenames for les provided are any indication. Catch Taylor John Williams around Portland sooner than later Greets” that the down-to-earth rising star still takes a shine to.) [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 9 | January 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Courtesy Horse Feathers Horse feathers – A bright new shade of folk

by Aaron Martin Cynics New Year making Billboard 200’s charts, revitalized and ready to record their 5th album, So It modest album sales and a grueling tour led Ringle Is With Us. The album topped at 25th on the Bill- Like front man Justin Ringle, Horse Feathers to take a break to reevaluate his path as well as board 200, and the band continues to gain popular- has seen its share of twists and turns on the road the band’s. “When our last record came out, ev- ity outside their home here in the Northwest with to broader recognition. Horse Feathers began in erything I knew about the industry had shifted... tireless touring — they just completed a national 2004 as Ringle’s solo project after his exo- tour in late 2014, and 2015 will see them on the dus to Portland from his native Idaho, but road again until April at least. the heavy-on-strings quintet we know didn’t These days, Ringle’s songwriting continues emerge until 2009, after a last minute oppor- “We needed to be more fun.” to resonate with that ache of deep melancholy tunity to play the Sasquatch Festival com- that he’s known for, but those morosely beauti- pelled Ringle to flesh out the band with an ful vocals of his are tempered now with instru- electric bass. The result was a higher energy mental accompaniments that move the band’s performance than the band had achieved before and it’s hard being a working class, middle-class sound ever so gradually toward a lighter, brighter and the rest was, as they say, history. musician,” Ringle told the Oregonian this last shade of folk. “We needed to be more fun,” said Horse Feathers’ popularity has grown at a slow November. Ringle of their new sound. Tempering sadness with primary logos and steady pace ever since, but not without the But after months of soul searching lenames and for the les providedaddi- a little joy? It would seem they’re on to something. occasional bump in the road. Despite 2012’s tion of a sixth band member, Horse Feathers returned [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 10 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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liquidlight – ... and the journey to musical fulfillment

by Inessa — lyrically living up to potential while having rather than churn out a living in the music biz, something to say, coupled with sound and mean- playing material they really don’t want to perform For the thoughtful Anthony Medici and Cory ing and not being obvious. That = Deep Flavor. — nothing against the fantastic cover band scene West, the journey to musical fulfillment requires What happens in the everyday makes this group we have here in Metro. They are ensuring, not immersion in, not only their influences — of which evolve. Here’s the core philosophy: Cory and depleting, creative energy for themselves. Sure, there are many an older generation will recognize Anthony have “day jobs” that take them out of the there’s a stressful side to being unavailable for (Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Who, Nirvana) — certain hours. Anthony puts it this way, “Do but also names some might not have heard, like what you have to do,” and then you can do Guided By Voices and Sonic Youth. your passion. These bands have all informed LiquidLight Sam Densmore — a musician in his own right and challenged its players to carve out their “Have something to say.” — produced the new EP and says LiquidLight, path, since 2012, from here in Portland. Zack- “Sounds jangly and dreamy, yet tough and ary Rodrigues and Joseph Arnstein round out powerful, like an updated version of many the quartet. of my favorite bands — REM, My Bloody It begins with a passion to, “Have something to studio or rehearsal and open up creative space. Valentine — with a nod to late-60s/early-70s say,” says Cory, to which Anthony counters, “Hav- In a note-to-self moment, I hit pause on power pop, like Big Star. Those guys can really ing a sound.” Put those two equations together and Anthony and Cory embracing a “real job.” In the play! A lot of the takes are first or second takes, you begin to have a trademark to share with others. case of Anthony, it’s a line cook at Kerns Kitchen, and most are straight-up performances with little With the release of the new EP, Reactionary, on while Cory juggles Burgerville and teaching at editing or punching-in going on. It’s real music January 18th at Holocene, all philosophical and in- The School of Rock. It allows them to have room played with heart. They’ve got a ripping live tellectual bits come down to what is in the grooves to daydream about what they really want to do, band going, too.” [OMN] primary logos lenames for les provided

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By JAMES BASH presented. At rock concerts, you are able to stand and move around, talk to There are plenty of medical doctors your neighbors, laugh, order a drink, who play musical instruments, yet, that kind of thing. The musicians face Mike Hsu is unique among them. you and interact with the audience. That’s because Hsu, a physiatrist at Sometimes coordinated lighting is part Kaiser Permanente, is performing of the production, maybe pyro-technics classical music with his amplified too. But, at a classical music concert, ensemble called ĄRCO-PDX. Hsu has you have to sit and listen to something the chops; he’s been playing violin that you’ve never heard before without since he was three years old and piano any interruption. You can’t get up or since he was four, performing with shift around. That’s pretty challenging. orchestras since he was nine, and So ĄRCO-PDX is classical music in a composing since he was a teenager. rock concert environment. Now, at the age of 36, he’s decided to share his love of classical music How is ĄRCO-PDX different from in a new way, with ĄRCO-PDX, (an Classical Revolution PDX or the acronym meaning “amplified repertory Portland Cello Project? chamber orchestra Portland”). Classical Revolution PDX has basi- ĄRCO-PDX debuted in July and will cally the same mission, and I’m on its perform on January 17th at Refuge Board. But Classical Revolution PDX PDX. Oregon Music News spoke with has focused primarily on chamber Dr. Hsu about his creative endeavors. music, while ĄRCO-PDX will work with larger groups. Plus, Classical What got you to start ĄRCO-PDX? Revolution is not creating produc- I’ve loved classical music all my tions that use sophisticated lighting life. It speaks to me. But, most of my like what we are doing at ĄRCO- friends don’t listen to classical music, PDX. We are also different form the or ever go to classical music concerts. I Portland Cello Project because they think that some of the problem comes primarily play covers of familiar tunes. primary logos from the way that classical music is We are doing pieces that are a gate- lenames for les provided for use on general items – Courtesy Mike Hsu main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 12 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com way for people to classical music. How did you get to the Pacific Northwest? What pieces will ĄRCO-PDX play? I did a residency in Seattle, and The program is all Vivaldi and all during those four years I played Kenji Bunch. We’ll play the Vivaldi with the Puget Sound Symphony Double Cello Concerto, featuring Liz Orchestra. Then I decided to go into Byrd and Hannah Hillebrand. Liz is research, and looked for a Fellow- from Vancouver and is widely known ship and got one which took me to for playing in alt-music groups. Han- Michigan where I stayed for three nah just graduated with a Masters years. But, I wanted to get back to from PSU; she is an ICU nurse, part- the Northwest, which I considered time — she suggested the Vivaldi. A my spiritual home because of the lot of it is heavy metal, so to speak. landscape, the hiking, the progressive We’ll also play Vivaldi’s “Storm at attitude. A position opened in Port- Sea,” which will feature violinist land; so I came here. My wife and I Andy Sumitani. It’s very dynamic have been here five years! and fast. We’ll play Bunch’s “Swing Shift,” a piano trio. Mitchell Falconer You also compose music. Are you is the pianist — he is a new music self-taught? connoisseur. He has played at Clas- Yeah, basically. Besides my studies, sical Revolution and performs with I’ve learned a lot by just absorbing meticulous discipline. He memorizes through osmosis the styles of all these everything. After that is Vivaldi’s different great composers. The only “Winter” from the “Four Seasons” music theory class that I took formally and I’ll play the solo for that piece. was a required class at Harvard, if The last piece is the last movement you didn’t major in the Arts. It was from “String Circle” by Kenji Bunch. called “The Symphonic Century”. The I’ll be playing the rhythmic viola part, professor explained things like sonata and we’ll have Andy Sumitani, Bryce form plainly and simply, so that even Caster, and Mike Goffe... Liz Byrd non-musicians could understand. will play the cello part. Cellist Owen I get a lot of inspiration from non- Hoffmann-Smith will also play some classical music. When I was in high of the pieces and Skip vonKuske, aka school, I began to write electronic Cellotronik, will open the show. music, using a rudimentary program on a Macintosh called Super Studio Give me books, Who is doing your lighting? Session. The actual program took only French wine, Friends put me in touch with Mat- 99k of memory. It allowed you to layer fruit, fine thew Rosvold, “Roz,” for lighting. He up to eight tracks, and my first project does state-of-the-art concert lighting and involved describing my favorite video weather and has had a lot of success at the Star The- game music. Then I began writing more a little music ater and the Wonder Ballroom. He has sim-pop new wave music, because that played out of different color schemes and arrangement was what I was listening to at that time. for the pieces that we will be playing. I doors by give him a lot of leeway because I don’t How many compositions have somebody I know anything about lighting. you written? On the Electronic/Pop-Rock side, I do not know. What is your background? have two albums — about 20 tracks. John Keats I grew up in a suburb of Chicago On the classical side, I have about six and grew up playing in orchestras. I chamber works in various stages of was the concertmaster of the Chicago completion, a symphonic work that is Youth Orchestra for a year. I went to 17 minutes long and a work for violin Harvard where I did my undergraduate and orchestra. One of my compositions degree in Biology with a minor in East won a contest that was sponsored by the Toscanini Chamber Ensemble. Asian Studies. Then, I went to Duke That’s another group at Harvard. for Med School. At Harvard, I played with the Bach Society Orchestra. What does a physiatrist do? That’s a student-run orchestra whose claim to fame is that Yo-Yo Ma played It’s kind of like orthopedics and Tune into Oregon wine at with them — probably for one semes- neurology put together without the oregonwinepress.com surgery. We are often involved in rehab, ter. I played with chamber ensembles primary logos lenames for les provided during my med school years. for example, a sprained back. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 13 | January 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Each month, features writer and copy editor Sunny Clark queues up three of Oregon’s music insiders — an artist, an industry pro and an OMN staffer — to ask each of them three questions about their musical and other tastes. Find out: who they’re Queueing up to hear; what’s Quenching their foodie desires lately; and who, what, or where has recently made them Quiver with delight.

Lisa Mann Blues Artist Portland Radio Project Queued for Kevin Selfe takes to the airwaves Photo by Kevin Tomanka and the Tornadoes and the In February, PRP.fm is hitting the airwaves Ken DeRouchie Band at the at 99.1 FM. They’ve launched a tax-deduct- Cascade Blues Association ible giving campaign to raise the funds nec- holiday party, “Kevin and essary for the purchase of a transmitter and Marv Ellis and the band were bumpin’ with special guest James other equipment. To support local non-profit Pace (Tommy Castro band) on keys and my won- radio, just click the “Support” button at prp. derful husband, Allen, on bass. DeRouchie served fm to “Tune In and Turn On” local music WE Tribe Feed up a plateful of soul, as usual!” and culture on your FM dial now through Quenched by Stepping Stone cafe in NW January 31st. Portland. “Try the ‘Mancake’ — a pancake as big the Hungry With as a hubcap! Priced right and delicious.” Tender LOving Empire’s new digs Quivered for Taylor John Williams, Portland Portland-based record label and artistic busker in the top five on The Voice. “Sounds like marketplace Tender Loving Empire opened a Michael Stipe on steroids! If he finds good man- new location on Southeast Hawthorne Boule- Album Sales agement, he’ll have a great career ahead of him.” vard on December 4 with quite the celebration in tow. Its headquarters and original shop Lisa Lepine remain downtown. By Kevin tomanka Creative Consultant Queued for “Force-of-Na- Who steals from children? “I’m a rapper from Eugene, Oregon.” The words can’t ture vocalist” Kris Deelane. $1,800 worth of samba equipment was sto- even leave the mouth of Marv Ellis without making him “The fierce front woman of len from storage at the Faubion Middle School crack a half-smile. And, why is he smiling? Because in the Sharp Little Things and The in Portland. They’ve started a GoFundMe to Hip-Hop world — where your sound and your geographic Hurt moved me to the dance buy new ones. region go hand in hand — he is an undisputed veteran MC floor at the ever-evolving Mississippi Pizza!” of a beautiful slice of the world that he calls. “North West Quenched by John Harris. “Harris’ skill at craft- Cage the Philanthropist Fresh.” ing stellar beers extends to the celestial seasonings Cage the Elephant donated proceeds from a emitting from his kitchen. At Ecliptic Brewery’s Dec. 8 concert at the Crystal Ballroom to help For his fifth studio album, Marv Ellis continues to push anniversary party, John starred on washboard — music education in Oregon. Procceds went to boundaries with the instrumentation of his new live band, guesting with Ed & the Boats — and left me wish- the Oregon Music Hall of Fame’s Music Edu- WE Tribe. The five-member collaboration includes Marv’s ing for more music on the menu.” cation in Schools Program. Cage’s Lead Singer, longtime bandmate, DJ DV8, on the turntables, Dorian Quivered and “Inspired by Portland’s ‘Spirit of Matt Shultz, talked with OMHOF Board Mem- Crow on string bass, Matt Calkins on saxophone and Sage ’77 era, I dream of becoming a soundtrack-making ber Dave Scott after the benefit, which raised Lien laying down the drum beats on his Ensoniq ASR-10 Svengali, curating a Blazer Band with musicians $7,200 for the Portland-based non-profit. The keyboard. That’s right, a string bass and saxophone in a matching the character, charisma and camaraderie discussion can be found at www.omhof.org/ Hip-Hop group; this creates a very unique texture of analog of the Portland Trail Blazers. C’mon, who’s in?!!” the-cage-the-elephant-interview. and digital sounds that combine to provide stimulating melodic support to Marv’s rhymes. Kevin Tomanka News of the weird Conscious rap is Marv Ellis’s tool to address current situ- OMN Photo Editor Audiophiles looking for a new way to ations in the world, but at the same time, he writes in an keep Fido or grandma nearby and on the Queued for “The Afghan attempt to make lyrics that will stand the test of time and turntable have no further to look than www. Whigs at Doug Fir Lounge; andvinyly.com — they’ll press the ashes of never sound dated. Ellis is unified with his brothers-in-arms it was great to see an alter- someone you love into vinyl you can listen for the singular goal of spreading positive Hip-Hop from native band from the 90s to for all time ... their home scene in Eugene. still out touring and making good music.” Like everything in this world, all this didn’t just hap- Quenched at “Bread and Ink with Chicken Got a news tip? Feature Idea? Contribution? pen overnight. In 2012, when Marv Ellis stopped playing and Waffles.” primary logos Send it to [email protected] lenames for les provided Quivers at “The Goodfoot — I love the art Continued on page 19 upstairs and the low-ceiling rock venue below.” for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN OMN 14 | DecemberOM 2014N · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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By Ana Ammann home while collaborating and touring with Modest Mouse for their 2007 album, Johnny Marr may be best known as We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. the founding member of The Smiths, The reluctant front man took center stage one of Britain’s most influential bands as lead singer with his band, The Healers, of the 1980s, but it’s what the sometime at the turn of the century, then released his Portland resident has accomplished since first solo effort,The Messenger, in 2013. that’s made his career especially remark- Marr wasted no time getting to work on his able. second solo album, Playland, released in Consistently cited as one of the October, 2014. world’s greatest guitar players of all We spoke by phone as Marr and his time, Marr was presented with the band were making their way through “Gibson Les Paul Award” for artistry Canada by bus on their tour of North and innovation at last Fall’s Q Awards America. Just before arriving in the North- Show. Performing with an unprecedent- west, he canceled the remainder of his ed number of artists has made him Rock tour due to a serious family health crisis. ‘n’ Roll’s eternal “special guest star” It’s clear that Marr honors friends and and, in 2013, Marr received the NME family; it’s what he said he loved most “Godlike Genius” award. about Portland — the friendships he To the surprise of many, Marr chose formed here, and he says his time here is Portland as his U.S. home-away-from- not quite done.

Jon Shard photo

Where do you call home these days? whatever place I find myself in, I find myself record- the trick. Now I can do what I do anywhere, but I’m Hard to say, really, I guess London. I went from ing and writing and working, because it’s what I love enjoying choosing certain cities to inspire me for the Portland in 2011 to Manchester in the UK, then to to do. On the rare times when I stop doing that, solo stuff. Berlin for a while and the last record was London. I Portland is a really good place to get out of town. It’s This second record, Playland, is mostly about guess Manchester when I get back, but my intention is unusual in that you’ve got some really good outdoor London, and a bit about New York too, but maybe to get back to Portland at some time — for how long I stuff to do in such close proximity. I’ve got a Northwest solo record in me yet! don’t know — but I don’t think my time in Portland is finished, I’ve got a year or two in me there. The mountains, the ocean, the Gorge, the So, if you had to go back to London to get desert — we have it all. some inspiration for your songwriting, what I think it was your relationship with Isaac There you go, I always forget about the ocean. You would you say the themes are on Playland? Brock and Modest Mouse that brought you get a good balance of city life and the — what’s the The arcades that were around in the late 70s and to Portland, but what is it about the city that word I’m looking for? — we call it country life in the early 80s when I was a kid were called Playland and drew you to stay a while? UK. I’ve used that to describe a certain kind of attitude The friendships I have there are very dear to me Portland is fascinating for a number of reasons. that I notice in a lot of modern cities in the West — and I have some people I’m very close to — Gary The culture– music culture and art — is as good like a metaphor for the way we live our lives in towns Jarman from The Cribs and Isaac [Brock] is still some- as it is anywhere, really. The reason I went back to and cities. body I consider a good friend. My time with Modest the UK, though, is that I felt — rightly or wrongly Then I came across a book called Homo Ludens Mouse was one of the most interesting and happiest — that I needed to be around more concrete and written in the 1930s by a Dutch cultural theorist times in my life. So, on a personal level, there’s that. a more uptight kind of atmosphere, which you can named Johan Huizinga and it blew me away. I got to see some of the outskirts of Portland and only really get in the UK, or certain parts of Europe. [Homo Ludens discusses the importance of the play get out to the rivers and in nature a little bit, and I’d It may have been me projecting some sort of imagi- element of culture and society. Huizinga suggests that like to do more of that. The thing with me is that nary scenario of what primaryI needed logos to work in, but it did play is primary to and a necessary (though not suf- lenames for les provided for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 15 | January 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com the scene ficient) condition of the generation of culture. -Ed] It was along the same lines that I was thinking, these themes of how we run around in pursuit of escapism through consumerism, fetishizing new technology — whatever gadget is going to make our lives better — escapism through all those adult ‘So, it’s going to distractions, entertainments and preoccupations. be interesting to But, what interested me was the idea of whether it is that chase that actually causes the reason for escape see what kind of in the first place. Needing more and more money to do and have these things — the cause of separation, music that makes, boredom and loneliness and dislocation, and looking because Portland out for why we can’t really be with ourselves for more than two minutes. has such a strong At no point am I trying to offer any kind of critique musical identity, or criticism or political rhetoric, it’s just an observa- tion and I think they are interesting topics to hang quite rightly, and it the kind of songs I write on. can feed on itself I read that you wrote the songs with live in a good way.’ performance in mind and having fun on stage when you’re delivering this to the audience. Tell me a little about that. Jon Shard photo Absolutely. The idea of somebody making solo records could infer that you go down to the shed at example, on Playland, happened because I felt if I novels. Although Russell Brand’s recent book, called the bottom of the garden and either get into some was going to write about living in towns and cities Revolution, is really well done. experimentation that you wouldn’t normally do with and the concerns that we have — then I couldn’t The music I’m listening to… there’s a group called your other band or situation, or maybe you think really escape doing a song about money, but it was Childhood who I like quite a lot; and my son’s band that it’s an exercise in stretching out in a way that tricky because it’s been done in pop music so many Man Made are pretty good, and I know I may be you haven’t been able to do before. In my case, times before, you want to avoid falling in the usual biased, but I don’t think I am. I’ve found that it was almost a matter of just trying trap. But, then, when I worked out that a way to put together my own gig on a record. I am not to do it would be to write a song that was really He played on your first album as I recall. upbeat — and almost lampooning the way we are interested at this point in making solo records that Yea, he plays on this new one, too. It’s handy to about money — I was able to see that through. I are particularly experimental. I wasn’t interested in have another guitar player around. seven-minute orchestral pieces or ambient kind of thought about the words for a long time before I had the music, then the lyrics came together and stretch outs. And your daughter is musical too, right? I find, if anything, that I’ve written songs with even off I went. She sings. I have to try to persuade them to take tighter arrangements and faster tempos, and most I still write songs around riffs too. The song some time to record backing vocals and that kind of that was because I have the band in mind and it’s “Dynamo” was entirely music, as was the song of stuff, they’re pretty busy, but I use them because the kind of band I’d like to go see myself. I cross my “Candidate”, then you get into that situation where they’ve got a good sound — and, they’re cheap! fingers and hope that I am able to pull that off. the music suggests what you’re going to write about. There’s also band out of the UK called Menace I think there is still a real challenge in writing an It’s worked out very well. Some of this comes from Beach who I think people in Portland might like, I upbeat, punchy guitar song with loud drums and a the way I used to write when I first started out before think they’re quite influenced by the Pacific North- certain kind of sloganeering type of vocal. And, It I got well known. It’s like muscle memory in a way — certainly the singing and fronting a band — even west sound, shall we say? always has to be a vehicle for my guitar playing, too, though I was young when I got known with The because that’s what I always wanted to do and I’m Smiths, I did a musical apprenticeship before that What do you consider that Northwest musical looking to be known for that. where I had to sometimes front bands on my own. identity to be now? But, now I’ve got a lot more experience and you I think it’s safe to say that getting that “Godlike Portland definitely has its own musical identity hope that’s going to count for something. Genius” award kind of cemented that for you. and it’s interesting where that goes. First off, there’s always going to be young people in their teens and [Laughs] So what else are you reading and listening early twenties wanting to be in bands and mak- to these days, besides 1930s Dutch cultural ing music. I’m often asked — and have been for So when you made the decision to put your theorists? years — whether I think guitar music is going to be vocals front and center, being a guitarist, how I’m reading Dialogues with Marcel Duchamp — over, and if we’re at the end of the music industry as did that impact your songwriting? Do lyrics the artist, a book about Brutalist architecture and a we know it. Sure, business paradigms change, but come first or do the guitar parts still come book about the 1920s artist, Paul Klee, from the Bau- being in a band and making a certain kind of music first? haus movement. I’m also reading about the Provos — usually DIY — is never going to be unattractive Yes, it did change some of my songwriting, at the moment, they were Dutch political activists. to young people and is always going to give them a because quite a few of the songs start with ideas I tend to read a lot about artists, or the culture — voice — and it’s just a fucking cool thing to do. 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You’ve had the opportunity to play with so many different artists, are there others you’d like to add to your roster? One Portland band I’d love to make a record with is Courtesy Liz Vice The Thermals, because I love them. If that ever came to pass, that would make me very happy. The sweet soulful purity of Liz Vice and her voice signals a change is going to come to Oregon. We’re on the verge of losing Before we say goodbye, I want to get your thoughts on this quote by Robert F. Kennedy, our packaging and making it real. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” As someone who has achieved By Christa McIntyre kind, but daring, honest, and reflective. greatly, reflecting on your career these past 30 When she was a little girl, she’d hide out in the years, do you still give yourself the license to take There aren’t a great number of ladies left in basement unravelling the instrumental music from full creative risk–and potentially fail greatly–the this world and by consensus, the gentlemen to movies she loved. Her friends with more affluence, way you did early on? compliment them. Perhaps we lost our definitions, would tape the notes on the keyboard her aunt by trading and arguing our values with Hallmark bought, and Vice would take the every good boy That’s interesting. My nature has always been that I cards. To further corrode the sentiment, we live does fine to translation. Far away, in Los Angeles go where my musical curiosity and intuition leads me. in a bonafide city and our roots are an old gnarled her father was in a well known band, but the bonds I’ve been very fortunate, from the age of 15, being so contraption of zines and Weiden+Kennedy would not tie, only the mercurial fragments of in- black and white about that. It’s led me to some really broaches. The adages: “What do you do? Where heritance. She was given the music, nothing more. interesting places. As my move to Portland shows, not did you matriculate?” have turned to: “What are The only music she heard was the morning call of everybody is going to uproot and commute to play with your handles?” Just as we have glossed over the her hard worked mother singing the children awake. a bunch of strangers no matter what. And, it resulted enormous amount of intellectual and cultural capi- As with any lady, she wants to do more, be in amazing friendships, a great period of my life, and a tal waiting at bus stops or every now and then more. She sifts her ambitions with a huge measure record that went to number one in America — against making our pizza or taking our hat and coat, we of humility and awareness. She’s volunteered with the odds. need to be reminded of what we are passing by Children’s Healing Arts Project (CHAP), Free Arts But that impulse is coming from exactly the same and forgetting to remember. NW! and Songs for Saplings. She wears her hair place as when I was a kid and would get on two buses That is to say in plain terms, let us all take natural and elegantly held in place. There’s no and a train and go across town to go and play with a a break from 20 years ago and see beyond the make up, only manicure; she’s steady as a rock. bunch of strangers every night in order to learn about veneer of a watered down Fitz and Zelda .com Except those times. Those times come often now, playing what was then called Punk Rock, and kind of Age. We’ve been hyped up on image and illustra- when she has to face all of the plans she made liv- tough it out. tion for too long.We forgot our roots, the little ing while dying. She knows it’s ok to be weary, to So, that’s kind of evidence of a certain sort of daring. integrities that bind our community. If it wasn’t be tired, to wait. I didn’t even think about whether I was prepared to fail, for those, we’d not be the oasis of Portland that At age 19, part of her body gave out. On the you just put the challenge first. I’d like to think I’m still we are. There would be no Louie Louie recorded right hand side you can see the 2 simple scars of a doing that with my solo career, because I had no idea on Burnside. It’s time as we pull up our big city survivor, where they placed a semi-permanent port, how that was going to be received. I went into it not britches, to embrace the raw talent we have. to expedite the IV process and avoid permanent knowing that I’d be touring it for a couple of years and And so sometimes a great song comes out of scarring of her wrists. Each day for three years every that it would go okay, it was just something I knew that the chaos. And so sometimes that song is born of platelet of her body was sent through, cleaned and I had to do. So, I guess you could say, “He who dares struggle. balanced with the help of a machine. It was in this wins,” but, as your question pointed out, maybe it’s “He Liz Vice is a lady. Not of the Emily Post-I-Read- time that Liz Vice took every cell of her body and who dares to fail wins.” It version, but a woman with grace and presence No... [contemplating and laughing], it’s “He who and the underlyingprimary fight logos which supports it. She’s Continued on page 19 lenames for les provided dares to fail may win if you’re lucky.” [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 17 | January 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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By Tom D’Antoni concert and the man there said, “Are you ok?” Kate Power and Steve Ein- I said, “We just drove up horn have been gone from the Old Goat Trail.” And he Oregon for four and a half said, “Even old goats don’t years. For decades they were go up that.” the owners of Artichoke Music, a store and teaching So how did you end up center, but more impor- in Seattle, or why? tantly, the hub of stringed Steve: First we were in instruments and song in Olympia for two and a Portland. half years. It was a great It was a welcoming place two and a half years. Our to visit. There was always daughter and grand-daugh- someone playing an instru- ter live in Olympia. We had ment, many times one or a regular class where we both of the proprietors who taught uke there. had a thriving career as a Kate: I had hurt my back performing/recording duo. from schlepping too many They gave up the store in ukuleles on one little trip 2006. In 2010, OMN’s Mark and I couldn’t tour. I’m Neiman-Ross interviewed better now. One day, out them about it. Steve Einhorn and Kate Power play a song in their new home that is under construction. // Kevin Tomanka photo of the blue, Dusty Strings “We don’t miss the in Seattle got in touch with store,” says Einhorn. (Kate Hooray! Where did you go? or campground and it’s not there us to say that the director immediately contradicts with a Steve: We hit the road. We took and you end up sleeping behind a of their school and concert events resounding “YES we miss the store.”) really disgusting-looking something was leaving and “we think you guys Einhorn continues, “We miss the our show on the road. We published a book, The Ukalaliens Songbook. somewhere. would be perfect. What do you people. But they are coming to our Kate: Or it leads you to the Old think?” shows, and we see them on the road. We developed a one-hour class… actually I’ve taught the class in five Goat Trail… So we made a two-year commit- We’re happy the store is in caring Steve: …the Old Goat Trail in ment and Steve became a teacher. I hands. minutes. In that one hour we have taught thousands and thousands of Colorado. was the director of the school and “It was a blast being there. It was Kate: It was our first day of hav- just to add a little sizzle to what was the gateway to a tribe. It was the people their first four or five chords on the ukulele and a bunch of songs. ing a GPS and we didn’t realize that going on and stir it up our style. love of music that we all had. Every GPS’s in those days didn’t do U-turns day was romantic, and it brought in We bought a very small recreation- al vehicle and we brought twenty- at all, so you just go forward until But Portland was calling. heritage, culture and kids.” you get to where you’re going. four extra ukuleles with us… Kate: Portland is home. In early December they sat on a Steve: So we had to go a mile Kate: Thanks to the Collard Uku- Steve: Oh, man sawhorse in what would be a room in uphill on a shale road. It wasn’t re- lele Company… Kate: Thirty-five years…family… their new home at the foot of Rocky ally a road, it was the Old Goat Trail Steve: …and we drove all over the friends… community… history. Butte in Northeast Portland: and it was exactly the width of our country and taught our class in music Steve: Kate moved here in 1977 wheelbase. And it was snowing. And stores and libraries and private parties and I moved here in ’78. Once you’re Why did you leave Portland? it was freezing cold outside and there and had a great time. dug in here, you can’t leave for more was about a five-hundred foot drop Kate: To explore the world! And to than four and a half years. just to our right. see if what we were doing here would It sounds like it would be fraught And that’s why we’re sitting in And Kate happened to be driv- work in the outer reaches, and guess with Albert Brooks problems. this house…the bride stripped bare… ing…she’s a great driver, and when I what? (laughter) Kate: There are stories. We were noticed the white of her knuckles, I Kate: At the foot of a volcano.This living in seventy-two square feet… said, “Stop the car, put on the hand What? It did! will be the big chapter. We’re going and it was really fun. brake and I’ll take over.” We got Kate: Yeah! to settle in here. Steve: Except when the GPS tells to our destination where we were primary logos lenames for les provided you there’s a wonderful trailer park going to be doing a workshop and a Continued on page 21 for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 18 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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VICE: Continued From page 17 ago. It has the bottom of the Queen of Soul, but the pitch of a true believer. There’s no taking a hymn decided to live. While balancing the act of being alive, and placing it on it’s equal opposite of sex; the tone she went to school and became the first person in her is pure, simple, love. Every pore of Liz Vice echoes family to graduate with a college degree. honesty, rawness. Every Sunday morning, she passes by the facility Our paths are never straight, traveling from point that cycled her through to another day while on her A to point B. After working in film production and way to Church. On the surface it’s to easy to point narrating her life and adopted home, another gift out the metaphysical divide of shadows and light, came forward: her voice. In our town that thinks like of heavy matter and rising spirit. But that’s not how a city, there is an unspoken decorum to leave un- the universe works, it’s only when we tend and love touched the spiritual side of person, place and thing. as much to ourselves and discover an equal giving Liz Vice is in love. She loves Jesus. As we go through to anyone else, do we find home. So, Liz Vice our new birth pangs, its refreshing to hear an artist travels forward. For all the things that could break with craft, attention and honesty. Vice can’t boast a person: abandonment, poverty, death, there’s the empty package most newcomers assemble: the not a stitch of bitterness to her. She’s steady, clear, website, t-shirt production in development or 100 peaceful, until she has to sing. percent recycled promotional materials. Even as an You can hear her live next on January 24th at From her deep carmeled tenor comes an old voice, empiricist, you can’t deny she sings from her heart the Portland Sound Check, Aladdin Theatre in a sound we began hearing a hundred or more years and that it doesn’t touch you. Portland. [OMN]

Have you heard the OMN Podcast? The Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter presents: Listen to interviews, four years of Portland Jazz Festival Jazz Conversations and Inessa’s great interview/music podcasts. And now! Announcing the debut of Coffeeshop Conversations with Tom D’Antoni Intense, hour-long conversations with some very interesting people. A new one every Thursday: January 15: Skip vonKuske of the Portland Cello Project and Vagabond Opera January 22: Laura Ivancie, vocalist/composer January 29: Reggie Houston, New Orleans-born saxophonist/vocalist February 5: Pilar French, singer/songwriter February 12: Brian Davis, Pink Martini percussionist Panel and Q&A discussion with: Matt Jacobson, Relapse Records, Mike Jones, A to Z Catch up with our previous Media, Tyler Ferrin, Typhoon | MODERATED BY ANA AMMANN, OREGON MUSIC NEWS conversations at oregonmusicnews. Experts in music branding and merchandising discuss the com/podcast and on iTunes. Thursday, January 22 @ many opportunities associated with this important revenue Beth Harrington – ﬁ lm maker, director of The Winding Stream WHITE OWL SOCIAL CLUB stream. Through specific case studies, the panelists will Robert Ham – music journalist (1305 Southeast 8th Ave, Portland) demonstrate how to create product lines that engage your Byron Beck – journalist and man-about-town fans, propel your marketing message, and protect the integ- Art Levine – from Washington D.C., OMN’s 6–9pm (panel begins at 7 p.m.) national editor rity of your art. Stick around for free food and drink, and a Noah Mickens – Impressario of the DJ set by DJ Couches (Chris Slusarenko of Guided by Voices, Boston Spaceships, and Eyelids). Wanderlust Circus Mary-Sue Tobin –saxophonist with the Free for Recording Academy members. Visit www.grammypro.com to RSVP and more info. Quadraphonnes primary logos lenames for les provided

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Psych-rock Revival Smith (bass) — players born much Moon by You later then the music of the 60s that Vacuum Dream Machine (EP) their tunes sound like. But they must be Self released channeling those late greats because the nuances of psychedelic waywardness Classical // Chamber pop pelts your soul and you will be reaching for a pair of bell bottoms in no time. “I Got My People” sounds like a song you might catch at a summertime festival where everyone is high just on the goodness that fills the air and “Let You Down” moves you right on over to the next stage for more engaging wonder- ment of innocence that is between all the words in the song. Calvin Johnson, who is a mentor for the band, recorded the song at K You know those easy summer days Records. “Who” is a bit reminiscent that seem about a thousand miles of Eric Clapton in those early years and away right about now? No worries, carries on the theme of the not-so-in- my friend. Listen to the new 7” release nocent era of exploration and experi- by Moon by You and you will be sit- mentation. It is hard to imagine that ting in the sunshine all day long. this new generation could capture such Portland Cello Project // Jason Quigley photo The music is a bit like a messy, bottle a delicious, messy era in their sound, Portland Cello blonde telling you a good story too but they have done so with flair and Project boring to believe, but you hang on her crazy passion that makes their music every word, loosely because she has a float around you like a wafting cloud of to e.s. mysterious smile and is wearing a tie dye some super specialness. Virtual Label t-shirt. Moon By You is Sarah Kue (lead Catch the album release at Romtoms vocals), Jake Enger (guitar), Tyler Verigin in Portland on January 15. The year of getting to know Elliott Smith. Either all over again. Or. Lucky you. (drums), Kevin Clark (piano) and Austin — Dennise Kowalczyk For the first time. This summer there was the documentary,Heaven Adores You a love letter to Elliott, produced and filmed by his friends and acquaintances. So now comes this. jazz in spite of state-of-the-art re-mas- You might have picked up the cello in 4th grade as your choice for music class, tering. The original recording was and yes, Portland Cello Project (PCP) is indeed a cello collective, but can include John Coltrane done with a single microphone, percussion, horns, and really anything that comes up in their conversation; The Offering: Live at Temple and many passages are unbalanced playing music and venues as disparate as punk clubs, loading docks in NYC, to University or distorted. The bassist is essen- symphony halls. Resonance Records tially inaudible. Arriving at an Elliott Smith homage is not as random as it might seem. PCP Second, Coltrane’s group with has worked with Jackpot! Studio’s Larry Crane since 2008. Elliott helped build the John Coltrane had a well-deserved fellow saxophonist Pharaoh Sand- original space in exchange for studio time. reputation as a master creator and ers is joined by two undeveloped The beauty of to e.s. is the approach. The record is an homage to the style El- major innovator in the Jazz tradition. saxophonists and four additional liott developed inside musical structures. Sparse arrangements ebbing and flowing In the last year of his life, he per- percussionists who sit in but do with odd harmonies that show up. He worked to find mystery in the studio in a formed “energy music” that some not enhance the music. process he called “sending out the probe”. find to be a spiritual experience, but It’s true that Coltrane was a genius Probing musical structure is what PCP does. Among the 6 covers focusing others — who greatly appreciate and anything that he played on is more on that ebb and flow of an ES song, there is the complexity and simplicity, earlier Coltrane recordings — find worth listening to because of that and because there are cellos, sheer sonorous beauty. And there is space between harsh, angry, even unmusical. fact. There is some amazing, deeply sound. What in Sanskirt is called “matra.” You’ll hear it on the opening track The Offering has been circulated as stirring music on this CD. Nonethe- “Between the Bars” and the ragtag sound of “Everything Means Nothing to Me.” a bootleg recording for many years. less, this recording is far too intense The remaining 6 tracks were commissioned by contemporary composers, built on This recording offers better fidelity for the casual fan or newbie. Even for threads of the “musical probe” that was Elliott Smith’s calling card. Dive in with and a more complete performance collectors, the poor sound and six ex- PCP. A stunning world of wonder and mystery. than most bootlegs, however, the traneous musicians put this CD near — Inessa recording has several drawbacks. the bottom of the essential list. primary logos First, the sound is still very poor, — Stephen Blackman lenames for les provided for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 20 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Birch Hill Dam FLYERS. Reservoir BoozeHound Records PROGRAMS. Fitchburg, Massachu- setts’ Birch Hill Dam made their way out to the Northwest a couple PUBLICATIONS. of years ago on their tour promoting their previous record Colossus. The band put on a battering PROMOTIONAL. performance supporting Sweden’s The Quill at Dante’s. AND MORE. Fastforward a few years to 2014 and the quintet At Oregon Lithoprint, we’ll help have unleashed their latest opus Reservoir; this marking the band’s third independent release. Reservoir you ﬁ nd the perfect marriage of picks up where their last album, Colossus, left off and then takes it to another glorious level. Reservoir is a collection of groove oriented, blue collar doom metal color, size, texture, weight, format with an emphasis on hooks and melody. and binding. We’ll help you publish Birch Hill Dam are tight band but they’ve dialed things up on Reservoir; the songs are even more memorable and commercially acceptable without sacrificing something unique, something that their signature sound. One noticeable difference with Birch Hill Dam on Reservoir resonates and something that hits is singer Mike Nygard’s vocal performance. Nygard showcases his new powerful pipes on the new album and while this equates to a hefty helping of melody; your target spot on, so you can get it won’t alienate their current fanbase. On Reservoir, Birch Hill Dam have set to back to your music. redefine what we’ve known doom metal to be and they have achieved their goal. Standout tracks like; “Wasted Times,” “Fall Apart,” and “Defenders of the Cross” will get your blood pumping and get you excited melodic doom metal again — I promise you that. — Ruben Mosqueda

we have two-hundred and fifty years Continued From page 21 of folk songs. Kate: And everybody’s a singer so And you’ll both have studios? we have five-part harmony. I’m looking for the right venue for a monthly Steve: Yes. I’ll be doing my art for that. here. I’ve been drawing and making Getting back to this house. The sculptures out of scrap materials. I one thing that is really extraordinary don’t buy any new materials. And about it is the opportunity to create a you can play music on them. 1315 NE Miller St. | McMinnville, OR place that’s based on what we want to do. So with art, music, writing, And we’ll be seeing a lot more of PHONE 503-472-5115 teaching we can do all of it here. you playing around town? Steve has his studio where I’m not al- TOLL FREE 877-472-1198 Kate: Yes! lowed to go, apparently. (laughs) I’ll Steve: And we’ve got a new band have mine and we’ll have a nice big FAX 503-434-1462 called the Portlanders with Mick open space for people to come and Doherty, and Lauren Sheehan and sing and play. [OMN] www.oregonlitho.com | [email protected] Kevin Shay-Johnson. And between us primary logos lenames for les provided

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The Builders and the Butchers Saturday, January 10 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland Folky-Rock, Portland-based band The Builders and the Butchers are well-known for jim-jammin’ the night away with their delicious sense of lonesome lyrics and melancholy music. Catch the show at 9 p.m. 21+ $12.

Skip vonKuske 10th Anniversary Shows January 12 — Groovy Wallpaper with guest The Sale) January 19 — Groovy Wallpaper two man band; January 26 — Groovy Wallpaper with guest Rob Wynia of Floater McMenamins Edgefield Winery, Troutdale Much-recorded cellist Skip vonKuske turned his Groovy Wallpaper duo into an unprecedented 10-year residency as Edgefield’s Monday night house band. Crystal Ballroom 101st Birthday Free-For-All Together with eclectic percussionist Don Henson, with Sallie Ford • Thomas Lauderdale • Danny Felts Comedy • China Forbes • Cooper and The Jam he hosts musicians of both local and national note, Sunday, January 11, schedule subject to change drawing from all genres. Celebrate a musical legend- McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Portland in-the-making. 7 p.m. 21+ Free. 1 p.m. - “You Who,” Children’s Rock Variety Show featuring Sallie Ford, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes and much more!; 2 p.m. - Joe Mishkin “The Balloon Guy”, Amanda “Rockin’ The “The Face Painter”; 4 p.m. - Bloco Alegria; 5 p.m. - Dirty Revival; 5 p.m. - Poison Waters & Friends; 6 p.m. Rose” Classic - ‘80s Video Dance Attack; 6:30 p.m. - Satin Chaps; 7 p.m. - Bird Courage; 8:30 - Cooper and The Jam Rock Tribute, Hot line-up to usher in a cool new year includes Pink Martini’s Lauderdale and Forbes, sizzling chan- Karen Lovely teuse Cooper and the righteous, rockin’ Sallie Ford – get some local love before Cooper jets back to LA-LA- • Lisa Mann Land and Ford heads off to wow them en Français for the next “Paris in Springtime,” in support of her first • LaRhonda solo album, the rollicking Slap Back. Steele Celebrate the Crystal turning 101 with history presentations and tours; brewery tours and tastings of Saturday, McMenamins ales; liquors and wines; drink and food specials; passport stamps; birthday beer... need we January 17 say more?! Door at 1 p.m. All ages. Free. Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland Start 2015 with a lease Saboteur, recorded locally at Opal Studios. Signed Braden (bass, vocals); and Scott Mattern (drums). triple bill sure to sure to go down in history as three to Sony Records in the late 90s, Woodworth’s first Enjoy an evening of music, hijinks and frivolity with of the most celebrated women in the Portland blues album, with the band, Elephant Ride, was produced Woodworth and guests, Portland favorites Redwood scene join forces to put their spin on classic rock by legendary bassist, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). Son and special guest Mudboy from Northern Califor- songs. Awarded Male Vocalist of the Year at the LA Music nia. Show at 8 p.m. 21+ Tickets $12. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Minors with parent or Awards in 2006, Woodworth was signed the following guardian. Tickets: $18, $20 at door. year as a solo artist with Rodeostar Records, releasing Carpe Diem String Quartet his second solo album, Eddy Ate Dynamite, in 2008, Saturday, January 17 Andrew Paul Woodworth • Redwood Son • then toured extensively, opening for acts like Deep Winningstad Theater, Portland Mudboy Purple, Maroon Five, Thin Lizzy and Sheryl Crow. If you want to start the New Year right by seizing the Saturday, January 17 Woodworth’s version of The Beastie Boys’ “Fight day, you better get your philosophically-optimistic Jimmy Maks, Portland For Your Right” may sound familiar from the Warner butt to a Carpe Diem String Quartet performance — Two of Portland’s finest live acts share the stage for an Brothers television series, One Tree Hill. His music has a musical ensemble that fuses the musical likes of energetic evening filled with Indie Rock hooks and fun. also been heard on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Fox’s Gypsy, Tango, Folk, Pop, Rock and Jazz all into one primary logos Andrew Paul Woodworth moved back to Portland after Roswell, Scrubs and on ESPN. Featured lenames forin Wood les provided- strange but satisfying musical journey. Show at 7:30 22 years in Los Angeles and now presents his latest re- worth’s band are Brian Harrison (guitar, vocals); Todd p.m. All ages. $38.50. for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 22 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com Winter Folk Festival magic, converting outlaws and traditionalists alike Tom Paxton • Mike & Carleen McCornack • from skeptics into preachers of their storied songs. Larry Potts • Ventucky String Band • Sky In The Joined by foot-stomping one-man Americana band Road • The Sugar Beets • Pretty Gritty • Debo- McDougall. Show 8 p.m. 21+ $6. rah Henriksson Thursday, January 15 – Sunday, January 18 G. Love & Special Sauce • Matt Costa Florence Events Center, Florence Wednesday, January 28 Headlined this year by no less than Tom Paxton, the McDonald Theater, Eugene annual coastal event helps bring folk music into local Thursday, January 29 schools, providing free “Kid’s Koncerts” for children. McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Portland The fair also includes craft demonstrations; art and Twenty years after the release of their self-titled debut craft booths; food; a pie-baking contest; and jam ses- album and eight years since their last live performance sions. Festival admission includes daily performances. together, the original lineup of G. Love & Special Sauce All ages. $10 – $40. return with their first album in nearly a decade,Sugar . Built on the trio’s signature Hip-Hop-Blues sound, Patti Smith Sugar finds vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player G. Love Tuesday, January 20 (aka Garrett Dutton), upright bassist James “Jimi Jazz” Courtesy Raffi McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Portland Prescott, and drummer Jeffrey “The Houseman” Clemens Celebrating her 68th birthday recently doesn’t slow still doing more than justice to groove-heavy, Chicago- wielding the clout of gold and platinum albums to down a rebel rocker like Patti Smith. In an interview blues-infused, stripped-down Rock ‘n’ Roll. Shows at 8 emerge as a respected advocate on behalf of children, with Rolling Stone Magazine, Smith says she is look- p.m. All ages. McDonald Theater $25; Crystal Ballroom lending his voice, insight and experience to a number ing forward to commemorating her first album on her $22.50. of crucial issues. Love Bug, Raffi’s first album of chil- current tour, “I think we continue to deliver all of these dren’s songs in 12 years, marks a welcome return for songs sometimes stronger than when I was young. So the artist, who has said, “I see this album as a celebra- I’m going to be happy to celebrate it, to perform the al- tion of the real world, in response to the digital over- bum with happiness, not with any kind of cynicism or a reach that now touches every aspect of our lives,” and cashing-in thing. It will be a true, proud celebration.” Go “I think that these songs are rich in themes and styles see why the always-original punk pioneer counts Michael and rhythms, but the main thing is that it’s filled with Stipe as her biggest fan. Show at 8:30 p.m, 21+ $35. joy. Essentially, this is an album about love in the real world. When I hear this album, I hear myself strong Aesop Rock • Rob Sonic • and smiling.” Raffi recorded much ofLove Bug in his Homeboy Sandman own living room, accompanied by an extended family Wednesday, January 21 of musicians. Shows at 1 and 4 p.m. All ages with par- Hawthorne Theater, Portland ent or legal guardian (free for children under 3). $25. The Hip-Hop underground-phenomenon Aesop Rock attacks the city of Roses with his signature ultra- London Grammar wordy and ultra-elegant lyrical prose while being sup- Friday, February 6 ported by his two even more underground Hip-Hop Roseland Theater, Portland acts, Rob Sonic and Homeboy Sandman. Show at 7 Vocally channeling the sharp edge of Jefferson Airplane p.m. All ages. $20. through a musical hodgepodge of Pop, Ethereal and Bill Frisell // Jimmy Katz photo Classical sounds is an odd combination, yet London Hillstomp • McDougall Bill Frisell Grammar has done it so compellingly — and with Saturday, January 24 Friday, January 30 only one album under their belt — that one can’t help Wildwood Hotel, Willamina Aladdin Theater, Portland thinking this trio are onto something bigger and better Get your dance on with this kick-ass “Bucket and Slide Since as early as the 80s, Bill Frisell has dipped his than may meet the ear at first listen. Check them out brand” Junkbox Blues duo whose new song, “Santa toes into about every genre possible. From Jazz to before everyone else does — ya, you cool! Show at 9 Fe Line,” is currently featured on Dan Ackroyd’s Blues Bluegrass, the still-musically adventurous Frisell sur- p.m. All ages. $18. Radio spot, “The BluesMobile with Elwood Blues.” The prised us with a new album in August, Guitar in the band also recently released a new album on local label, Space Age! He takes 1960s pop tunes like “Pipeline” Over the Rhine Fluff & Gravy Records, aptly titled, Portland, Ore. and “Telstar” and makes them his own. Show at 8 Tuesday, February 10 Hillstomp is known for energetically digging through p.m. All ages. $35. Aladdin Theater, Portland forgotten backwoods of American music, recycling Any band that self-describes as, “Post-nuclear, pseudo- traditional elements into a refreshing and distinctive Raffi Alternative, Folk-tinged, Art-Pop,” probably makes brand of do-it-yourself Hill Country Blues Stomp, Sunday, February 1 really good music or really bad music. Considering the mixed with North Mississippi trance blues, a bit of Aladdin Theater, Portland amount of online support — from their hometown Appalachia, and a dash of Punkabilly. It all comes Relive your youth with children’s troubadour and Cincinnati to the prestigious National Public Radio clanging and tumbling from assorted buckets, cans independent-label pioneer Raffi, the world’s best-selling station (NPR) — I’m going to sidle right alongside the and BBQ lids, all drenched in rambunctious slide- and most influential children’s entertainer for over four former and pronounce this trio tops in, well, the genre guitar. Despite their homemade instruments and decades of delighting audiences of all ages with his mash-up known as “Post-nuclear, pseudo-Alternative, novel approach, Hillstomp is no novelty act; their playful, exuberant personalityprimary logosand irresistibly infectious Folk-tinged, Art-Pop.” Show at 8 p.m. Minors under 21 lenames for les provided memorable live performances tap into an unrehearsed songs. Raffi has been using his super-powers for good, allowed with parent or guardian. $25. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 23 | January 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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